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Effective RNA extraction for COVID-19 testing

In 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS‑CoV-2) was identified as the source of a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China. The extraordinarily rapid spread of this disease, termed COVID-19, triggered numerous and urgent challenges to health systems, diagnostic laboratories and research communities throughout the world. Demand for reproducible and fast nucleic acid extraction has been unprecedented and as a result has become a limiting factor for COVID-19 detection globally. The most sensitive and reliable method of detection is the RT-PCR molecular swab test but one challenge that still remains is the need to increase the throughput of the RNA extraction step.

Join Gabriel Fernandez de Pierola and Christopher Norey to hear how the Sera-Xtracta™ Virus/Pathogen Kit* provides a simple and rapid method to optimize the workflow for the sensitive detection of bacteria and viruses, including: Adenovirus (Type 14), Influenza A (H3N2) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Compatible with a range of sample types including respiratory biological matrices, blood and universal transport media and Real-Time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) applications.

*The Sera-Xtracta™ Virus/Pathogen Kit is for research use only (RUO).

Learning objectives
• Review current COVID-19 diagnostic technologies
• Understand effective RNA extraction through magnetic bead technology
• Consider relevant performance data of magnetic bead extraction

Speakers:
Gabriel Fernandez de Pierola
General Manager, Genomics & Diagnostic Solutions, Cytiva
Gabriel Fernandez de Pierola is the Genomics & Diagnostic Solutions General Manager at Cytiva, formerly GE Healthcare Life Sciences, since 2017. He is responsible for the development and commercialization of products and services that enable automatable, cost-effective and reliable technologies for kit developers and end users mainly focusing on genomics. Previously he was the Global Commercial Finance manager for the GE Healthcare Bioprocess business. Gabriel started his career in the GE Capital Financial Management Program in 1999. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from ICADE (Spain) and Reims Management School (France).

Christopher Norey
R&D Leader, Genomics and Cellular Research, Cytiva
Dr. Chris Norey is an R&D Leader with over 25 years’ experience in the life sciences industry after gaining a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. For the past 10 years Dr. Norey has lead teams responsible for launching over 25 new products, including instrumentation and reagent and consumable products, most recently the Sera-Xtracta™ genomic and cell free nucleic acid isolation kits. He currently leads the genomics R&D team at Cytiva focused on delivering tools for the growing field of genetic based diagnostic applications.